Yemen: Saleh former president relinquished power to the new head of state (TV)

7 years ago

On Monday former president Ali Abdullah Saleh transferred to the new head of state Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi, elected Feb. 23 after an early presidential election where he was the sole candidate, the ceremony being broadcast live on national television.

“I put the flag of revolution, freedom, security and stability in safe hands,” said M.Saleh in the presidential palace in Sanaa.

According to international media during the ceremony, thousands of Yemenis, dissatisfied with the transition plan required by the Gulf monarchies, which included the departure of Saleh in exchange for immunity for himself and his family, showed the opposite residence of the new president. They demanded that the former head of state is brought to justice.

M.Hadi garnered 65% of the votes cast in an election where the turnout was 80%.

After 34 years as head of state and a powerful popular revolt, Ali Abdullah Saleh became the fourth president won by the Arab Spring, after Tunisian Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, Egypt’s Hosni Mubarak and Libyan Muammar Gaddafi.
According to media reports, during protests against the regime, hundreds of people died and thousands more were injured.